Agile Project Manager: Key Tactics & Best Practices

The Agile Project Manager assumes different roles as a leader, mentor, or coordinator. They aim to foster a productive working environment where team members are encouraged to share ideas and opinions. 

According to the 16^th State of Agile report by Digital, the adoption of Agile methodology in software teams increased to 86 percent in 2021. The same report revealed that 86 per cent of software development teams adopted Agile philosophies into their workplace culture. The Agile Project Manager delivers on-time, large-scale technical solutions that support critical business objectives. Discover their tasks, skills, work roles, and more.

Table of Contents 

1) Understanding what is an Agile Project Manager 

   a) Roles 

   b) Responsibilities 

   c) Skills 

2) Difference between a Traditional and an Agile Project Manager 

3) Conclusion 

Understanding what is an Agile Project Manager 

Organisations are adopting the Agile framework of project management more than ever before. The Agile framework is essentially a collaborative methodology that utilises short bursts of development cycles referred to as ‘sprints’. These short bursts aim to incorporate feedback from stakeholders and customers throughout the project lifecycle. The main goal is to foster a mindset of flexibility and continual improvement, which results in a significantly improved product.  

A team working with an Agile framework and philosophy in mind will not function well with traditional methods of workflow. This translates to a change in the job description of the Project Manager. An Agile Project Manager emphasises team collaboration rather than a hierarchical leadership structure. Kanban, Scrum, Adaptive Project Framework, and Extreme Programming are some of the popular frameworks involving Agile methodologies.  

For example, the Scrum framework promotes the distribution of responsibilities that a traditional Project Manager would typically hold among the team members. Afterward, a Scrum Master is officially appointed, who serves as the team’s guide and facilitator. The traditional Project Manager’s role adapts and evolves within an Agile project environment.  

The organisation must also remember that an Agile Project Manager requires the right guidance at any point. The Agile framework is flexible enough to be tailored according to the specific Agile project plan in focus. An Agile Project Manager ensures a successful and optimal product delivery.  

An Agile Project Manager must possess key roles, responsibilities, and skills such as the following: 

Roles
 

An organisation expects its Agile Project Managers to be capable of effectively managing various roles. These agile project manager roles can be categorised into three categories:

Team-Level Roles 

Agile Project Managers can hold two roles in the project process at the team level. They can act as consultants who delegate appropriate staff and resources to ensure the team’s efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, Agile Project Managers can serve as coaches who advise to team members on how to optimise their efficiency while working in the team.

Enterprise-level Roles 

Agile Project Managers (APM) holding enterprise-level roles need to embrace significant challenges. They can also hold the role of a director who manages multiple Agile teams. The APM can choose to integrate the team’s work with activities beyond their scope as well. Additionally, the APM can also choose to assume the roles of both a leader and a manager, taking charge of large-scale, complex projects.

Hybrid-Agile Roles 

The Agile Project Manager, in this role, can combine various Agile Methods with other Non-Agile methods, such as the Waterfall method. The Waterfall method is a project development process that progresses sequentially through all project phases, similar to a waterfall flowing downward. In this method, each phase is completed before proceeding to the next one. The Agile Project Manager can also design a project management approach that is tailored to the specific project’s planning and management tasks. A hybrid Agile role can be challenging as it requires the Agile Project Manager to skilfully combine traditional work techniques with Agile methodologies.

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Responsibilities  

The APM has responsibilities that include planning, leading, organising, and encouraging their Agile project teams. The APM has a wide range of responsibilities, such as: 

1) Assisting their team in achieving an optimal level of performance and work quality. 

2) Ensuring team members hold each other accountable for their work and making sure less experienced team members are mentored appropriately.  

3) Defining the project's schedule while balancing prompt and regular quality deliveries. 

4) Organising and leading the team's project status meetings. 

5) Ensuring that their team delivers business value of exemplary quality to the customers. 

6) Assisting the product owner in managing communication with stakeholders and customer expectations for service deliverables to establish an effective governance system for the project. 

7) Boosting their team's morale through various team-building methods and ensuring that every team member makes a meaningful contribution to the project at hand. 

Agile Project Managers should practice horizontal management, which opposes the hierarchical structure of a team’s command line, and invest time in receiving both internal and external feedback from their team members. Feedback is their means of adequately responding to any changes or concerns in a timely fashion. 

Skills 

APMs eventually develop qualities over time during their presence in the team to ensure they fulfil their fulfilment of responsibilities as and when necessary. Let’s take a look at a list of key qualities that any APM must possess to be successful in an Agile project environment: 

1) APMs must see the big picture and prioritise their work based on high-level goals.  

2) APMs are expected to possess notable emotional intelligence and active listening skills, setting a standard for their team members. 

3) APMs need to demonstrate exemplary communication skills across hierarchies.  

4) APMs should be capable of identifying and analysing potential risks. 

5) APMs can learn to resolve conflicts through adaptive leadership techniques. 

6) APMs should prove their capability to continually improve work processes. 

7) APMs should be well-versed in the Agile philosophy, values, and methodologies.  

It is essential for an APM to envision their project goals clearly so they can effectively lead their team towards success. Demonstrating excellent communication and problem-solving skills will help them spearhead the team's progress through the project lifecycle. Moreover, attention to minor details will greatly contribute to the team’s success.  

While the job description of an APM may seem intimidating and arduous at first glance, the holistic skillset of hard and soft skills drives the momentum of the team. An Agile project lifecycle is bound to face immense pressure, and it is crucial for an APM to remain calm and composed. The APM’s ability to remain composed sets an example for the team in the long term.  

Possessing exemplary critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities are signs of a highly skilled APM.

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What is the difference between a Traditional Project Manager and an APM

Let's look into the differences between the two management styles in this section:
 

What qualifications are needed for an APM?

To pursue an Agile Project Manager career, the educational qualification is acquiring a bachelor's degree in business management, Project Management, computer science or other related field. Sometimes, the employer may require a master's degree in business management.

It is also beneficial to consider training programs through internships, workshops, etc. These programs provide certification that reflects positively on employers. Training programs also provide exposure to industry practices, which helps to upskill and enhance employability.

Conclusion 

As Agile and Scrum frameworks become significantly popular within organisations, the need for Agile Project Managers increases as well. AGMs need to play the role of exemplary project leaders rather than just project managers. The key to being a successful AGM is to fully embrace and practice the Agile mindset. The AGM can then proceed to leading by example and efficiently managing the work, rather than just managing the people. 

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